General | February 14, 2019 | 11:46
Clinton Twp. Chippewa Valley vs. Saline
Thursday, August 29, 7 p.m.
Wayne State University
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Clinton Twp. Chippewa Valley and Saline nearly met in the Division 1 state championship a season ago, and now will face off in Week 1 for the second consecutive campaign. This year's matchup between the two Div. 1 powers serves as the nightcap on Day 1 of the 2019 Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic (Aug. 29 at 7 p.m.) at Wayne State University in Detroit.
In last season's first ever meeting between the two programs, the Big Reds came out on top, 31-26. The Big Reds went on to win their second state championship and first Div. 1 title in school history (defeated Clarkston, 31-30).
In order to repeat, the Big Reds will have to find a way to replace the production of four three-year starters in quarterback Tommy Schuster, linebacker/tight end Marcel Lewis, wide receiver/defensive back David Ellis and athlete Ja'Von Kimpson.
Senior running back Myren Harris will be one of the players asked to carry the offensive load in 2019. He rushed for a game-high 103 yards on 17 carries in last season's opener vs. Saline.
He has the luxury of running behind a senior-laden offensive line that features left tackle Charles Wesley, right guard Donovan McBride and right tackle Brendan Barbu.
Saline, which lost last year in the state semifinal round to Clarkston, returns a pair of playmaking linebackers in middle linebacker Alex Morrison and outside linebacker Monty Green. The senior duo will be tasked with trying to stop a Big Reds offensive attack that scored a school-record 546 points in 2018. The Hornets, meanwhile, only allowed 137 points a season ago.
Tickets are available online at
detroitsports.org/pkctickets with a portion of the proceeds benefitting each school. For a limited time only, fans will receive 15 percent off their order in honor of the event celebrating 15 years. One ticket grants admission to all games on that particular day.
Clinton Twp. Chippewa Valley Big Reds
Head coach: Scott Merchant
2018 finish: 14-0 (Defeated Clarkston, 31-30, in the Division 1 state championship game)
All-time record against Saline: 1-0 (Beat Saline, 31-26, in Week 1 of the 2018 season)
Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic record: 4-0 (Last played in 2016; Beat Lake Orion, 27-7)
Key players (year they're entering in fall): Senior left tackle Charles Wesley, junior left guard Alex Lanzon, senior right guard Donovan McBride, senior right tackle Brendan Barbu, senior running back Myren Harris, senior quarterback and wide receiver Josh Kulka, junior QB Jack Donovan, sophomore QB Ryan Schuster, senior defensive back Carde' Johnson, senior safety/WR Myles Harris, junior DB/WR Quillen Howze, junior outside linebacker Jaillen Howze, senior DB/RB Antwaine Gunter and senior WR Corey Anderson.
Expectations for the 2019 season: "Our goal is to get better every week and to get the right players in the right position as much as possible as the season progresses," Merchant said.
Thoughts on playing in the Prep Kickoff Classic: "That first game is always scary as a coach," Merchant said. "Win or lose against Saline, we're going to find out a lot about ourselves. It's a great game for us, as Saline is a classy, high-quality opponent."
He added, "My kids that played in the Prep Kickoff Classic in 2016 said that they had a great experience, and I'm all about having great experiences for the kids. It's a big-time atmosphere at Wayne State with big-time programs facing off with another over the course of all three days. It makes for a memorable experience for all."
Saline Hornets
Head coach: Joe Palka
2018 finish: 11-2 (Lost to Clarkston, 21-2, in the Division 1 state semifinal round)
All-time record against Clinton Twp. Chippewa Valley: 0-1 (Lost to Chippewa Valley, 31-26, in Week 1 of the 2018 season)
Prep Kickoff Classic record: 3-1 (Last played in 2009; Beat Belleville, 34-7)
Key players (year they're entering in fall): Senior middle linebacker/running back Alex Morrison, senior outside linebacker Monty Green, senior safety/receiver/wildcat quarterback Kyle Greenwood, senior defensive end Zach Sabin, junior offensive lineman Kyler Blake-Jones, senior WR Kolton Malinczak, sophomore QB Larry Robinson, junior QB Anthony Ferrari, senior cornerback Noah Nelson, senior defensive tackle Henry Koenen and senior offensive tackle Lance Blaszak.
Summer update from Coach Palka: "We've had a good summer, good in 7-on-7 and we've got a real solid 55-70 varsity football players. We have a tendency to start a little slow and then to get better as the season progresses. So, the key for us is to get out of the gate well and to start the season on the right foot."
Expectations for the 2019 season: "Our goals are to win the SEC (Southeastern Conference Red division), to get to the playoffs and to win a state title," Palka said.
Thoughts on playing in the Prep Kickoff Classic: "We're excited for this rematch against Chippewa Valley," Palka said. "This is our first time playing at Wayne State, and we're excited to be playing in Detroit to kick off the season."
